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Secrets of Successful Teams
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by Chris Widener
To be a success is
not always to be a success individually. In fact, most of the time
we achieve our successes as part of a team.
We are all part of teams. Our family is a team. Our place of work is
a team. The community groups we belong to are teams. Sometimes we
are the team leader or "coach," while other times we fulfil the role
of follower, or "player." It is so important then for us to
understand teams and how they work, especially those who achieve
success - the achievement of their desired goal.
In my life I have been on some successful teams, and some not so
successful teams. This includes both athletically as well as
professionally. When I was growing up, I worked for seven years with
the Seattle Supersonics, our local National Basketball Association
team. They were at times unsuccessful, and, in 1979, my second year
working there, the most successful team in the league, winning the
World Championship. I have been able to see firsthand what makes the
difference between the unsuccessful teams and the successful ones.
Here are some principles that I know, when implemented on a regular
basis, can turn any lackluster team into an outstanding one! These
principles can be applied to your family, your business, your
organization, and yes, your sports team.
Communication/Leader
The leader needs to communicate the vision. If they are setting the
pace, they need to let people know where they are going so that the
team can follow. The coach always does a pre-game talk, laying out
the vision.
The leader communicates the vision frequently, so as to always be
updating the team as to where they are at and what changes need to
be made. The coach doesn't relegate the direction he gives to the
pre-game, he coaches and communicates all the way through the game.
Team
Watch a good basketball team. They are talking to each other all of
the time. Helping one another out, encouraging one another, praising
one another, and telling each other how they can make changes so the
same mistakes aren't made again. The same is true of successful
teams in the professional world and in life in general.
Excellence
The truly great teams are teams that are committed to
excellence. In everything they do, their goal is to achieve at the
highest level. And this commitment is held throughout the team and
at every level. A successful team cannot have members who are not
committed to excellence because in the end they will become the weak
link.
Followership
If you want a fascinating read, pick up The Power of
Followership, by Robert Kelley. The author basically makes the point
that the secret to getting things done lies not only in great
leadership, but in how well the rest of the people, 99% of the team,
follows the leadership. Good teams are filled with people who are
committed to following and getting the job done.
Understanding Roles
Pardon the Chicago Bulls analogy, but it is so clear. When the
game was on the line, with only one shot left, everyone, the
coaches, the players, the 20,000 people watching in the stadium, and
millions watching on TV, knew who would shoot the last shot. That
was Michael Jordan's role.
Every team works best when the members of the team have clearly
defined and understood roles. Some do one thing, others do another.
One isn't better or more important than the other, just different.
When teams operate out of their strengths and their roles, they win.
Strengths and Weaknesses
This brings me to strengths and weaknesses. Every team member has
strengths and weaknesses. The successful teams are those who on a
regular and consistent basis enable the members to operate out of
their strengths and not out of their weaknesses. And what is one
person's strengths will cover another's weakness. This is teamwork,
enabling all of the bases to be covered.
Fun
The team that plays together stays together. Is your team all work
and no play? If you're smart, that will change. Get your team out of
the office once a month and go have some fun. Enjoy one another.
Enjoy life. It will bring a sense of bonding that can't be made even
in "winning."
Common Goals and Vision
I have found that these need to have three aspects. Short, simple
and clear. Can you say it in less than 30 seconds? Is it simple? Can
you and others understand it? Does the team all know what they are
working together for?
Appreciation
All through the "game," successful teams appreciate one another
and show it in a variety of ways. The coach shows it to the players,
the players show it to the coach, and the players show it to one
another.
Here is a "Successful Teams" Checklist for you to evaluate with.
Is there communication between coach and players and from player to
player?
Is your team committed to excellence?
Do those on the team know what it means to follow?
Does everyone on my team know their specific role?
Do the individuals on our team regularly operate out of their
strengths as opposed to their weaknesses?
Does our team take a break from time to time to just have fun
together?
Do we understand our common goals and vision? Can we all state it
(them)?
Is there a sense of and communication of genuine appreciation among
my team?
Chris Widener is
an internationally recognized speaker, author and radio host. Chris
is the author of five books and over 30 audio series as well as over
350 success articles. Chris demonstrates a style that is engaging
and versatile while providing life-changing principles of
leadership, motivation and success.
If you would like to order
Chris' products, including his Newest Release, The Angel Inside as
well as Live the Life You Always Dreamed Of, The Secrets of
Influence or his CD series, The Extraordinary Leaders Seminar, or to
book him to speak at your next event, go to
http://www.chriswidener.com or send an email to
mailto:hilary@chriswidener.com or call 800-929-0434. Also to
subscribe to Chris's free Weekly Ezine, send a blank email to
mailto:subscribe@chriswidener.com |
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